St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-05-08
HIS UNTOLD LOVE.
How Il Guardian Lost His Sweet
Ward.

Ward.
ga guardianship! Well, it's no new
thing for me-" added John Steele.
He placed the letter OF the table. A
packet lay there also After moment
he tool. this up and broke the sealing
wax. A package of yellow papers fell
into his hand; closely united was also a
velvet miniature case and an old-faSh-
Toned English locket. He turned the
open face of the lockct to the light.
1t was the portrait OF Bert Vane's
daughter, taken in her seventh year.
Her father had been John Steele's
sch oOlmate.
''Will you take my little girl into your
keeping?"
That letter was Bert Vane's final act,
written in the last hour of his life.
The child was at school in New En-
gland, and, after mature thought, John
Steele decided that she had better stay
there for the present. He went to Europe
with his young Step-brOther Herbert and
was absent two years.
Leaving his Step-brOther in Germany,
lie returned to LakehOme. For months
lie was much engroSsed by business;
then he found a spare opportunity to
visit the academy where Violet was.
The matron received him with dignity.
Il should like to see the little girl"
he said.
Madame stared and Withdrew. A few
moments and the door swung open
again. A girl of II, with clustering
curlS and the trailing robes of woman
hood, swept softly toward him. He
looked into the oval face, chaste as Il
flower, and saw the lineamentS of the
child'S portrait.
"But''-he stammered.
''YOu thought | was little girl. Mr..
Steele? No; papa thought ume only a
child when he died, but | was fifteen.3
She had strange, sweet dignity.
She was utterly lovely. And John
Steele was strangely confused.
- lis swelling heart came to his throat,
but the artleSS eyes. sweet as heavens
truth, met his calmly.
: Il am SO old and ugly, she does not
think have heart" the blood reeed-
sing again and leaving an aching Wpid.
Il am her guardian-that is all. L must
not forget M5
1t was decided that she was to 90 TO
LakehOme. She stole quietly as a sun
beam into her place at LakehOme. If
John but told the truth he knew that he
should acknowledge himself her slave,
The weeks few by-Christmas camc.
The house was full of company-Smiling
matrons, gay girls, indulgcnt papaS,
fayOrite sons and brothers. 1t was
happy time. Alas! alasl that earthly
happiness is SO short.
1t was Chriatmas Eve, and in the
midst of the merricSt, game John Steele
had just kissed Violet under the mistle-
toe, when the door swung open, admit
ting new arriVal-a young man of one
a0d-tWenty, handsome, healthy, debOnn-
aire.
Brother joint"
''Ilcrbertn'
1t was the young musician from Ger
many. Fresh and ardent. he was one of
them Immediately. In the confusion
John did not see that, from the first, he
admired Violet.
He had come and seen, and he con-
Quered. John observed. with a sharp
surprise, the change in Violet. She was
another being to his young brother from
what she u''au been to him.
The - vs. went by, the house grew
quiet ~ ,'rt sought an interview with
his eld,. arother.
John listened quietly.
Il have expected this, Herbert. will
talk with Violet"
but you can give me your consent"
Il can say nothing row."
With look of surprise. Herbert with
drew-Went down the wide oak stair,
crossed the terrace, WhiStling.
John rang the study bell.
''POmpey, ask Miss Vane to come to
me-"
He turned faint at the sound of her
light step on the velvet of the hall. vet
fought off the weakness successfully
before she came in. The pain remained,
but she saw no sign OF it.
She wore re IS CT blue, her bronze
curlS chung about her shy face, her pet
greyhound. Caliph, followed close at her
side. He motiOned her gently to a seat.
For a moment he did not Speak-he
felt tired with suffering.
Her dog, which he had given her,
crossed the room, and laying his slender
head upon his knee, looked up wistfully
into his face.
What is all this Herbert tells me,
ViOlet?" with a forced smile, a steady
voice.
"IIe has told you?" with a swift
blush.
Told me what, Violet? Come closer,
little one, and let me look into your
face. What could he tell meg"
THAT we love each other"
She was on her knees beside his chair,
her blushing, bright features hidden An
HIS SilOuluGl. CiiC COulu llOU SCc HIS ldtE.
His face?-no, ali! no.
My child, have you quite given yoHE
heart to this young brother of mine Sc
soon? 1t is but little while that N9Q
| have known him." {.
bitterly! A little while?-but it sefns
long while that we have been together
| have been-l am so happy with hinf
guardy!"
But you have been happy with me,
have you not?'
Ali that is different"
A little silence. lie quietly and for
ever put away all hope. nfJ
Yes, very different, my Violet. Kfss
me, little One-0ply once. There: thank
! you, dear. Go now and say to IIerbert
that give you to him, and to the life
you have chosen, as his wife"
r1She slipped away like beam of light
| But Caliph, for the first time in his life
when permitted, did not follow h0r lie
| pressed closer to Johns knee and ut
| tered a pitiful whine. Gaining no at
tention, he joined the silence of the
stately room, easing his troubled heart
by the employment of tapping up, witt
his slender tongue, the tears that fell o..
| the folded hands of the master of Lake
| home